By Tony Ezimakor, Abuja
Vice Presidential candidate of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in the 2027 general elections, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has taken a swipe at former governor of Borno State Ali Modu Sheriff over the latter’s recent TV comment that questioned the acceptance of Peter Obi, the NDC presidential candidate, in the North, wondering when the controversial political figure became the spokesperson of Northern Nigeria.
Reacting to the interview, the leader of the Kwankwassiyya Movement, one of the biggest political movements of Northern Nigeria and the country, noted that the interview raises serious questions about the judgment of Senator Sheriff after a long absence from public glare.
He said that it would be foolhardy to dismiss the impact of a political figure who in 2023 general election polled over 2.8million votes in the North in 2023 and is currently on the ballot with another frontrunner that polled 1.45 million votes in the same election.
Senator Kwankwaso noted that amid the worsening insecurity and humanitarian crisis ravaging the country under a supposedly non-performing government, the North being the worst hit, it is surprising that Sheriff is blind to the emerging reality.
While advising the likes of Sheriff to focus on the insecurity and humanitarian crises facing states in the North, Senator Kwankwaso insisted that the country needs an administration founded on competence and compassion, adding that the OK (Obi/Kwankwaso) ticket is poised to reset the country.
His words: “I watched with disappointment the recent interview granted by Senator Ali Modu Sheriff to Channels Television on Monday.
“After a prolonged absence from public discourse, one would have expected that time away might have sharpened Senator Sheriff’s judgment. Regrettably, that does not appear to be the case.
“In the interview, the former governor claimed that Peter Obi cannot command sizeable support in Northern Nigeria. It is curious that he has appointed himself spokesperson for the Northern masses.
“For the record, in his first outing on the presidential ballot, Mr. Obi secured approximately 2.8 million votes in the region — a remarkable achievement that cannot be dismissed lightly.
“Given the current national hardships, the widespread consensus on the failure of the APC administration, and the addition of a strong Northern figure to the ticket who previously garnered 1.45 million votes in the region, the OK ticket remains a formidable force in Northern politics.
“Even more surprising was Senator Sheriff’s assertion that the people of Kano would not vote for Mr. Obi. Let me state clearly: the good people of Kano are neither bigoted nor xenophobic. They have consistently demonstrated strong trust in the Kwankwasiyya Movement and will support any credible ticket presented under its banner.
“I respectfully advise Senator Sheriff that, in future national television appearances, he would do better to speak to the serious insecurity and humanitarian challenges facing his home state, rather than making divisive and poorly considered remarks.
“The OK ticket currently represents the best opportunity for Nigerians to reset the country and place it on a path of competence, unity, and progress.”
*PHOTO CAPTION: Sen. Kwankwaso (r) and Sheriff.
